I AM becoming increasingly bemused by the lack of logic, tolerance, and respect for freedom displayed by those obsessed with their quest to outlaw smoking in public places.

Smokers would, I daresay, be happy to accept further prohibition in restaurants, but I feel that an Irish-style blanket ban, including public houses, would prove unacceptable.

At present, smokers can indulge outside, at home, or in most parks. The obsessive desires to further curtail their rights is illiberal.

I would be happy for private businesses, like pubs, to prohibit smoking on their premises, but this should be a matter for those businesses, not government. It would set a dangerous president if a government sought to impose a ban on a perfectly legal activity in what is a wholly private place.

It is government's role to educate and inform the public of the consequences of their lifestyle choices, not to impose draconian restraints on legal behaviour.

I would say it is a terrible indictment on the current political climate that so many people only become engaged when the issue of prohibiting someone else's behaviour is on the agenda - whether it is smoking, fox-hunting, or eating fatty foods.

Personally, I find men walking down the High Street without their shirts on pretty offensive, but I'd argue to my dying breath for their right to do so.

People have forgotten that tolerance is not about loudly proclaiming your approval of lifestyles you find acceptable, but accepting behaviour of which you may personally disapprove.

CHRISTOPHER BARLOW, Worcester.